NHS Continuing Healthcare and Joint Packages of Health and Social Care Services Commissioning Policy

Transcription

1 NHS Continuing Healthcare and Joint Packages of Health and Social Care Services Commissioning Policy

2 Version History: Version Date Author Reason for change Rosa Waddingham based on West Suffolk policy As agreed at CHC TAG Debbie Draper Comments on drafts and incorporation of IPC PHB principles Rosa Waddingham Incorporating comments from CHC TAG members Review and Approval: Reviewed/Approved Version 1 29 th June 2017 Date Next review date: June 2019 Page 2 of 13

3 Contents: 1. Purpose Legal Context Background and Context CHC Commissioning Principles Approving Support Plans Jointly funded packages Refusal of NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding Self-Funders who become eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding arrangement for individuals receiving services outside the CCG area: Changes in circumstance Mental Capacity Review Appeal Application of the policy Policy Monitoring and Review List of Annexes Annex A - Fast Track guidance and forms Annex B - Support Plan Approval Guidance Annex C - Six Guiding Principles Annex D - Audit and Review of Personal Health Budgets In development Annex E - Special/High Cost Case Panel Process In development Associated Documentation & References Page 3 of 13

4 Mission Statement When commissioning services for people, we will place greater emphasis on the achievement of outcomes and value for money over the level of choice available. We will always aim to maximise people s independence and take their preferences into account, but the funding made available to support an individual will be determined by the most cost effective care package, based on the local care market, the availability of local care providers and the cost of community based and residential or nursing care. 1. Purpose This document sets out Newark and Sherwood Clinical Commissioning Group, Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group, Nottingham North and East Clinical Commissioning Group, Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Group and Nottingham West Clinical Commissioning Group (the CCGs) principles and framework for Continuing Healthcare and joint funded packages of health and social care. It defines the way in which resources will be agreed and commissioned. This policy aims to ensure the best use of NHS resources and provide a level of service that is sustainable and equitable (fair) to the health and wellbeing of the people of Nottinghamshire. 2. Legal Context The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care November 2012 sets out the principles and processes of CCGs to adopt. It concentrates mainly on the process for establishing eligibility for NHS Continuing healthcare and the principles of care planning. The established NHS values and principles of equality and fairness are set out in The NHS Constitution for England, Department of Health (2013) and the laws under the Equality Act 2010 together with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Care Act 2014 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that sets out clear principles on how Adult Social Care should work with people. It is founded on the statutory principle of promoting wellbeing and underpinned by the principle of personalisation. In all cases the CCGs will follow safeguarding policy and the Mental Capacity Act (2005) to ensure the best interests of the individual are maintained. All staff are responsible for adhering to staff guidance and are expected to understand the legal framework that governs health care. In drawing up this policy, the CCGs have had regard to the Human Rights Act 1998 and, in particular, the implications of placement for individuals in relation to their Article 8 rights. Page 4 of 13

5 3. Background and Context NHS Continuing Healthcare Equity and Choice Policy 3.1 What is NHS Continuing Healthcare? NHS continuing healthcare means a package of on-going care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS where the individual has been found to have a primary health need as set out in The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. Such care is provided to an individual aged 18 or over, to meet needs that have arisen as a result of disability, accident or illness. The actual services provided as part of the package should be seen in the wider context of best practice and service development for each client group. Eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare places no limits on the settings in which the package of support can be offered or on the type of service delivery. 3.2 What are Joint Packages of Health and Social Care Services? If a person is not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, they may receive a package of health and social care (rather than be fully funded by the NHS). There will be some individuals who, although they are not entitled to NHS continuing healthcare (because taken as a whole their needs are not beyond the powers of a local authority to meet), but nonetheless have some specific needs identified through the Decision Support Tool that are not of a nature that a Local Authority (LA) can solely meet or are beyond the powers of a LA to solely meet. CCGs should work in partnership with their LA colleagues to agree their respective responsibilities in a joint package of care, including which party will take the lead commissioning role. 3.3 What is Fast Track Fast track is a route into CHC for rapidly deteriorating patients, who may be entering a terminal phase and require an urgent package of care. A review of care provision should be undertaken to ensure that appropriate care is being provided. Fast Track referrals should confirm that all core commissioned and commissioned specialist services are being fully utilised before additional services are commissioned and the principles outlined here support this. Annex A outlines the current process for managing fast track referrals 3.4 What is Integrated Personal Commissioning? Integrated Personal Commissioning (IPC) is a partnership programme between NHS England and the Local Government Association. It is a pillar of the NHS Five Year Forward View, and supports the improvement, integration and personalisation of services, building on learning from personal budgets in social care and progress with personal health budgets. Through IPC, individuals, their carers and families can take an active role in their health and wellbeing, with greater choice and control over the care they need through personalised support planning and personal budgets. Alongside this, IPC also supports people to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their care, through stronger partnerships with the voluntary and community sector (VCSE), community capacity building and peer support. As early adopters of IPC, the CCGs and the Nottinghamshire County Council are committed to developing IPC for all people who are eligible for CHC, including fast track and joint funded packages. Page 5 of 13

6 3.5 What is a Personal Health and Integrated Budget? Personal health budgets are an amount of money to support a person s identified health and wellbeing needs, planned and agreed between the person and their local NHS team. Any adult eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare whether receiving a package of care at home or in a care home will have a Personal Health Budget (PHB.) The funds made available via the PHB are for use to meet the individual s agreed health and well-being outcomes as identified in their support plan. PHBs are also available to people in receipt of fast track and jointly funded packages. As an early adopter and supporter of personalisation the CCGs will support individuals to develop a personalised support plan and then commission care to meet the agreed outcomes. However this approach also needs to balance value for money and PHBs must be affordable within the CCG s overall budgetary allocation for NHS Continuing Healthcare. The principles of this policy apply to the provision of Personal Health Budgets, and are embedded further in the Support Plan Approval guidance (Annex B). Health care professionals will continue to focus on securing the best health outcomes for people. Personal health budgets will provide alternative ways of achieving these, with patients able to explore a wider range of options in their support plan. 4. CHC Commissioning Principles Principles Charter The CCGs are committed to working in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, and have adopted the approach and principles outlined in their Adult Social Care Charter in our commissioning of Continuing Healthcare to reflect our joint approach to personalized commissioning. We will promote individual health, well-being and independence We will share responsibility for maintaining the health and well-being of people in our communities with family, carers, friends and other organisations We will achieve better outcomes by promoting independence and building on the strengths of individuals We will promote choice and control so people can receive support in ways that are meaningful to them, but will balance this against the effective and efficient use of our resources We will work to prevent or delay the development of needs for health and social care by providing good quality advice, information and support based on recovery and recuperation We will support people to live at home or in the community through aligning and developing our community resources We will work to ensure people are protected from significant harm whilst allowing people to take risks We will always seek the most cost effective way to provide support, in order to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of all people eligible for health and social care support Page 6 of 13

7 4.1 In balancing the use, and distribution of limited NHS resources, the CCGs fully respect equality and diversity, and fully embrace the established NHS values and principles on equality and fairness, as set out in The NHS Constitution for England, Department of Health (2013) and the laws under the Equality Act 2010 together with the European Convention on Human Rights. 4.2 The NHS exists to serve the needs of all of its patients but also has a statutory duty financially to break even (National Health Service Act 2006). The CCGs have a responsibility to provide health benefit for the whole of their population, whilst commissioning appropriate care to meet the clinical needs of individual patients. 4.3 The CCGs are obliged to meet the health and care needs of individuals who are eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. However, guidance does not prescribe the type of healthcare required to meet the need. CCGs have discretion as to the manner of provision of NHS Continuing Healthcare services and must exercise reasonable judgment to provide the most appropriate care within the resources available, taking into account overall expenditure. 4.4 Support will be organised that reflects the choice and preferences of individuals, balanced with the need for the CCGs to strategically commission and manage the demand for healthcare for all people in a safe and effective manner. At all times the CCGs will ensure the best use of NHS resources both locally and nationally commissioned, and a level of service which maximizes individual health and wellbeing, a n d i s f a i r t o the people of Nottinghamshire. 4.5 If the support requested is not deemed to be cost effective, the CCGs may not agree to a support plan or placement that is preferred by an individual, and instead may require the individual to choose a less expensive alternative that will meet all of their identified needs. 4.6 Where there is evidence that a person s outcomes can be met in a more cost effective way, this must be the level of resource that is offered. This may mean that for some individuals, where complex community based support exceeds the cost of a residential or nursing placement with no measurable improved outcomes over time, the residential or nursing options open to that person should be considered. 4.7 The CCGs will not normally fund a package of care that is more than 25% (subject to on- going review) above the most cost effective care package identified by the CCGs. The CCGs will only fund packages above this level in exceptional circumstances, taking into account the following considerations: The individual s wishes Likely impact on the individual of any potential move, including psychological and emotional impact Suitability and/or availability of alternative arrangements Risks involved to the individual and others The individual s rights and those of his or her family and other carers Whether there are any creative alternatives available to enable the best use of resources available and to enable the individual s choice to be realized. The CCGs obligation in relation to equality and the Public Sector Equality Duty If the weekly cost of care increases, the care package will be reviewed and other options (for example, a placement in a care home) will be explored (excluding single periods of cost increase to cover an acute episode, or for end of life care where the individual is in the terminal stage and hospital admission can be prevented). Page 7 of 13

8 4.8 To promote consistency of decision making and transparency in how the CCGs comply with their obligations as commissioners of NHS funded services, all decisions will made in line with the Support plan approval guidance (link). This sets out the process of approving support plans for individuals which ensures they are lawful; effective; affordable and appropriate. 4.9 The CCGs will not fund through CHC private provision of therapies which are already provided by the CCGs as part of their mainstream contracts e.g. physiotherapy/ot where the needs can or are being met by core NHS services Provision of any additional services unrelated to an individual s health and care needs should be arranged and contracted separately from any NHS arrangement or contract. It is a private arrangement between the family/patient and those providing the care, for which the NHS is not liable. The CCGs can accept no liability for any failure by individuals to pay for the additional services provided The CCGs have a duty to provide care to an individual with healthcare needs in order to meet assessed needs. An individual cannot make a financial contribution to the cost of the provision NHS healthcare An individual has the right to decline/refuse NHS services and funding and make their own private arrangements. If an individual refuses care packages offered by the CCGs he or she will not be prejudiced should they wish to take up an offer of NHS services at a later date and this policy will be applied to such individuals in the same way as to all those newly eligible for CHC. 5. Approving Support Plans Any adult eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare whether receiving a package of care at home or in a care home will have a Personal Health Budget (PHB.) The funds made available via the PHB are for use to meet the individual s agreed health and well-being outcomes as identified in their support plan. The support plan is the tool by which the health outcome of the individual are identified and options for meeting these identified. 5.1 Approving a support plan to live at home As part of the approval process the CCGs will consider the appropriateness of a home based package of care, taking into account the range of factors and principles within this policy. If it is discounted, the reasons for decision should be clearly documented and communicated to the individual. The CCGs will only consider commissioning packages of care at home providing care can be delivered safely without undue risk to the individual, the staff or other members of the household (including children), and the level of risk that is acceptable to the individual. The CCGs consider that, in some circumstances, an individual s needs are most appropriately met within a residential setting, most specifically where there is a need for the presence of a Registered Nurse over a 24 hour continuous period. In these circumstances, the CCG would commission a placement within a care home with nursing environment. This may also be appropriate when a delay in commissioning a home care package delays discharge from hospital or leaves a person without care at home. In these situations rapid and possibly temporary admission to a care home may be required to ensure care and safety is maintained. Page 8 of 13

9 However the CCG will work with individuals to ensure that the support plan and care provision is managed on an individual basis and responsive to changing needs and circumstances 5.2 Agreeing a support plan in a residential setting It is important that the assessment gives a clear picture of the complexity of an individual s needs and provides evidence that the person s needs are at a level that warrants a care home placement, rather than living at home. In this situation the CCG would expect one or more of the following: A very high level of complex and fluctuating needs that result in an indicative budget at least the same level as a care home placement No carers, family or friends, who are able to support the person or, support previously provided by carers cannot be replaced with alternative services A risk assessment identifies risks that cannot be managed in the community and can only be managed with 24 hour care. The person requires 24 hour oversight by a registered nurse or registered Mental Health Nurse due to their health needs (nursing home placement only) A safeguarding assessment and plan identifies risk factors that can only be managed with 24 hour care The person has night time needs which cannot be managed by support in the community Repeated admissions into hospital as a result of the person s risks and that they are unable to manage at home. The evidence provided to support this should demonstrate the six guiding principles (Annex C). When it is agreed in the support plan to meet individuals assessed needs in a care home, the individual can choose a care home that accepts the CCGs agreed tariffs. The CCGs understand that the location of a care home is an important factor in decision making for many individuals. Where possible, the CCGs will endeavor to provide a choice of care home within a reasonable distance of the individuals preferred location. The CCGs prefer when possible to use a residential setting which has a formal contract with the CCG in place. As well as agreeing tariffs, these contracts support the delivery of high quality residential care as there are agreed processes, quality monitoring and support mechanisms. In some circumstances, an individual may wish to live in a care home that has not been identified by the CCGs. In these circumstances, as long as the: fee for care is comparable with the fee agreed by the CCGs (which is published annually in conjunction with the local authority); the care home is able to meet the individual s needs and; the care home satisfies appropriate criteria set by the Care Quality Commission, local authority social services department and CCGs, then the CCGs will consider this option. Where a care home has had its registration or right to accept admissions suspended or cancelled by the Care Quality Commission, or if the local authority social services or CCGs have embargoed the CCGs will be unable to consider commissioning any new placements within the care home until any suspensions, cancellations and embargoes have been lifted. If the individual wishes to augment any NHS Continuing Healthcare funded care package to meet their personal preferences, they are at liberty to do so, for example; a bigger room, hairdressing or alternative therapies, provided it does not constitute a subsidy to the core package of care identified by the CCGs. These additional arrangements must be organised and settled outside of the NHS funding agreement, by the individual. If at any point these Page 9 of 13

10 additional arrangements are stopped, or the individual can no longer afford to pay for them it will not be the responsibility of the CCGs to provide on-going funding for these arrangements. 5.3 Additional One to One Care in a care home In exceptional cases the CCGs may consider funding additional one to one (1:1) care for an individual. This will be included in considerations about the cost of the package and the value for money that it provides where the 1:1 care is required for longer than 2 weeks. This 2 week window acknowledges that there may be brief periods of time where additional support is required, but for any longer period of time the appropriateness of the package in place will need to be reviewed. Where additional 1:1 care is commissioned the following principles apply: The maximum rate paid for 1:1 care is 12 (as at ); however this rate should reflect actual costs paid and will be reviewed annually. 1:1 care should be reviewed regularly and only agreed short term A small amount of 1:1 care is expected to be included in the package within higher level care home tariffs; it is assumed that the first 2 hours of 1:1 is included in the base fee for all Band C placements. Opportunities to investigate more efficient routes to provide the care needed such as cohort nursing should be considered where possible. Rota s and evidence of care provision relating to 1:1 are required for invoices for 1:1 to be paid. 1:1 care should be invoiced or itemised separately from core care packages to ensure these costs are clearer. 6. Jointly funded packages In some cases where a person does not demonstrate a primary health need, the CCG may still commission a package with the local authority in which the CCG accepts responsibility for meeting the identified health needs/outcomes in that package. In those cases the general principles outlined in this policy continue to apply to the health element of that funding. If a jointly funded package has been agreed for a care home placement in a nursing home, clear evidence is needed about what health input is being provided beyond the funded nursing care (FNC) element of the package (especially if it s a standard placement rate) and any agreement will include the cost of FNC. Funded nursing care will not be provided in residential packages where there is no evidence of nursing oversight provided by the home. A jointly funded package will be agreed based on the care input commissioned and the CCGs will fund the tasks/interventions which are beyond the powers of the local authority to provide. As previously noted, the CCGs will not fund therapies available in a care home e.g. physiotherapy/ot at additional charges that would otherwise be accessed core NHS services. 7. Refusal of NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding The CCGs will consider that it is a refusal of NHS services where the CCGs have offered the individual what they consider to be an appropriate care package to meet the individual s assessed needs and this is not accepted by the individual, subject to the appeal process outlined This includes situations in which the individual has requested a particular package of care and the CCGs have taken a decision that the package will not be commissioned, but Page 10 of 13

11 offered an alternative package of care. NHS Continuing Healthcare Equity and Choice Policy Where there appears to be a refusal, the CCGs will write to the individual with a final offer setting out the care packages that the CCGs are willing to consider, and the consequences of declining a package of care or placement. In this letter the CCGs will provide a period of no less than 14 days for confirmation of acceptance of a package. If the individual does not respond within the stated time period, the CCGs will provide a written notice confirming that NHS funding will cease on a specified date, which will be no earlier than 28 days from the date of the notice. If the individual is considered to be vulnerable, appropriate Safeguarding Adult policies will be applied. 8. Self-Funders who become eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare If an individual who is currently self-funding a home care or care home placement becomes eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, and the care home fee is in excess of what the CCGs would expect to fund, the individual must be informed that the CCGs would only continue to fund at the higher rate based on evidence of exceptional clinical reasons why the individual s needs could only be met in that specific placement (for example, if there is potential for significant detriment to the individual s health if moved). If the individual is deemed to lack capacity to make a decision about provision of care, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) will be applied with regard to a best interest decision. If an individual is found eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare and there is no evidence of exceptional clinical need the CCGs will: Renegotiate fees with the current provider, however, if this is unsuccessful; Consider an alternative placement which can meet the individual s assessed needs. If alternative placements are offered and declined, the CCGs will consider that funding has been refused and the individual wishes to continue with his or her existing private arrangement with the care provider. From the date of rejection the CCGs will give the individual and the existing care provider 28 days notice that NHS funding will not be provided for the existing placement. 9. Funding arrangement for individuals receiving services outside the CCG area. For individuals who are to receive services in outside the local CCG area, but where the CCGs are the responsible commissioner the principles outlined in this policy will continue to apply. 10. Changes in circumstance. In the event that a review of an individual establishes that their condition has improved or stabilised to such an extent that they no longer meet the eligibility criteria for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the CCGs will no longer be required to fund their care. The CCGs will provide 28 days written notice of cessation of funding to the individual and the local authority. Any on-going package of care that is needed may qualify for funding by social services, subject to assessment, or the cost of any package of care may need to be met by the Page 11 of 13

12 individual themselves. The transition of commissioning responsibility should be seamless, and the individual will be notified of any proposed changes to funding involved when appropriate. Where an individual who is currently receiving a personal health budget to be supported at home and their assessed needs change, they will have a review of the support plan. The review of the support plan will determine what is working and not working and the appropriate level of support to meet the individual s needs will be offered, in line with the support plan approval guidance: lawful, effective, affordable and appropriate. If the support plan cannot be approved, it will be returned to the individual and the support planner with an explanation of why it cannot be approved. Where the CCGs and the individual are unable to agree a Support plan that is appropriate, then the approval and escalation process outlined in Section 9 of the support plan approval guidance must be followed. If the outcome of this process is that the support plan is not is not approved, the individual will be offered support that is approved by the CCGs. Where the individual does not agree to the alternative support offered, and then this would be deemed as a refusal of funding. In the event that an individual becomes eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, who was previously funded by social services, the CCGs will apply the same principles as for other individuals. Namely, that the CCGs have a duty to consider the best use of resources for their population, whilst meeting the healthcare needs of an individual. The CCGs will seek to provide this care with the least disruption to the individual. Equally, where a provider of care significantly increases their pricing and an alternative provider can deliver the same level of care for better value, the CCGs will consider a change in provider. During this process, the CCGs will ensure the individual is fully informed and case management is provided throughout this process. 11. Mental Capacity If an individual does not have the mental capacity to make a decision about the location of their commissioned care package and/or suitable placement, the CCGs will comply with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act, The CCGs will commission the most cost effective and safe care available based on an assessment of the individual s needs in conjunction with the best interest representation. All decisions will be evidenced and carried out in consultation with any appointed advocate, Attorney under an Enduring Power of Attorney, Lasting Power of Attorney or a Court Appointed Deputy or the Court of Protection directly and family members will be consulted under the terms of the Mental Capacity Act Where an individual does not have family or friends to represent them, an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate may be consulted in line with the Mental Capacity Act, Review All individuals in receipt of NHS funding will be reviewed to ensure that, the care plan continues to meet the individuals need, the package of care that they are receiving remains appropriate, the PHB is being managed appropriately and wwhether or not the individual still has continuing healthcare needs. For continuing healthcare for adults, this review is carried out in line with the continuing healthcare national service framework. (more details about the PHB reviews are included in Annex D) Page 12 of 13

13 Reviews may need to take place sooner or more frequently if the CCG become aware that the health needs of the individual have changed significantly or if it becomes apparent that the care plan is not being followed or expected health outcomes are not being met. The individual and care providers should update the CCGs if care needs reduce or increase so further assessment can be made to ensure the individual continues to receive the most clinically effective services and to ensure effective use of NHS resources. 13. Appeal Where an individual is not satisfied with the choices offered to them, or believes that because of exceptional circumstances the principles in this policy are not applicable in their case they may lodge an appeal by writing to the responsible CCG. The CCGs are only required to provide services that meet reasonable requirements. Exceptionality is determined on a case by case basis and will require a clear clinical rationale and agreement by a CCG Panel with executive decision making ability. The detail of this special/high cost case review panel is included at Annex E. If the care package offer proposed by the NHS Continuing Healthcare Team is upheld, the individual will be advised of their right to complain through the CCGs complaints process in line with local and national policy, or if the complaint cannot be resolved locally, the individual can be referred to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Interim arrangements Where the CCGs, having applied the criteria set out in this policy, decide to place an individual in a care home as opposed to providing a home care package and the individual makes an appeal against this decision, the CCGs will offer an appropriate interim placement taking account of the individual s safety as the over-riding factor. For these purposes, interim refers to the time between the appeal being lodged and then considered by the CCGs. Depending on the outcome of the appeal, such interim placements may become permanent. The CCGs decision will be effective until the outcome of the appeal. If the appeal is successful arrangements will then be made to revise the care package provided in consultation with the individual. If, during the interim, the individual refuses the CCGs offer of an interim placement, they may arrange and fund their own package of care or placement within their chosen care home. If the CCGs original decision is upheld, it will again offer the individual an appropriate care package in a care home that meets the criteria set out in this policy. If the care home placement is still not acceptable to the individual, they may continue to arrange and fund their own package of care or placement. 14. Application of the policy This revised policy will apply from 1 st April 2017 for all individuals deemed eligible from this date. For people in receipt of existing NHS Continuing Healthcare packages of care, providing the risks to the individual and their carers, including NHS staff, of continuing to provide the existing package are manageable (where applicable) and the package of care does not need to be changed, the CCGs will continue to commission the existing care package until such Page 13 of 13

14 time as: NHS Continuing Healthcare Equity and Choice Policy In the case of a home care package, the risks cease to be manageable. A review or re-assessment of needs is undertaken. An increase in the level of healthcare is required to meet an individuals need. An individual requests their care is provided through a PHB. 15. Policy Monitoring and Review This policy will be audited as to effectiveness of ensuring choice and equity in the delivery of NHS Continuing Healthcare to individuals across the CCGs. This policy will be reviewed every two years, or if there are changes in national guidance on individual choice or NHS Continuing Healthcare. 16. List of Annexes Annex A - Fast Track guidance and forms Annex B - Support Plan Approval Guidance Annex C - Six Guiding Principles Annex D - Audit and Review of Personal Health Budgets In development Annex E - Special/High Cost Case Panel Process In development 17. Associated Documentation & References National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare (2012) al-framework-for-nhs-chc-nhs-fnc-nov-2012.pdf NHS Continuing Healthcare Responsibilities Directions (2013) d_copy_of_nhs_chc_responsibilities_directions_2013.pdf Delayed Discharges Directions ed_discharges_directions.pdf Mental Capacity Act (2005) NHS Choice Framework (2014) NHS Constitution (2013) framework/the-nhs-choice- CCGs Safeguarding Policy. 8%3d&tabid=2382&mid=4874 Local Offer for Personal Health Budgets %20Healthcare/Personal%20Health%20Budget/Suffolk%20Local%20Offer%20FINAL.pdf Page 14 of 13

15 Annex C - Six Guiding Principles These principles apply to people with capacity, as well as best interest considerations where a person cannot choose and consent. IPC begins with the assumption that the individual is best placed to judge their own wellbeing. This assumption can of course be overridden if there are good reasons to do so. For example, there may be safeguarding concerns or resource considerations which lead to the CCGs concluding that an alternative decision or action is necessary to secure or promote the person's wellbeing. In summary, this means we have to consider: Choice and control Suitability of living accommodation Contribution to society The person's views, wishes and feelings The outcomes the person wishes to achieve. Whilst cost and resources to the CCGS should be taken into account, where there are a number of options available to meet outcomes, the decision must promote the person's wellbeing and independence. There is no order of importance in the principles, and the weight afforded to each will differ according to the circumstances of the individual case. This means there is not a hierarchy of principles and they do not all have to be in place. Rather, they must all be considered to assist in making a balanced and defensible decision when working with people, on the most appropriate way to meet their needs and achieve their outcomes. The six guiding principles 1. Will admission to a care home promote living independently and wellbeing compared to other options that have been considered? 2. Is admission to a care home an appropriate and effective way to meet the person s needs and outcomes? 3. Is admission to a care home the informed choice of the person and takes account of reasonable preferences? 4. Is admission to a care home the only available and viable option? 5. Is a care home placement an efficient use of public resources? 6. Is a care home placement affordable for the lifetime of the person? Page 15 of 13